Restructuring and Insolvency in Hong Kong
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All You Need to Know About Becoming an Insolvency Practitioner In
REMUNERATION OF INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS This time we bring you a real scoop. Insolvency law, legal status and remuneration of the insolvency practitioners, has completely changed in Poland! Judge Anna Hrycaj, who presented this subject at the ACC conference in Warsaw last year, and who was asked to adapt her presentation to the needs of our journal, was obliged to write a new article, because Poland was surprised a couple of weeks ago by a new law… So, we are proud to offer you an analysis of the new requirements for becoming an IP in Poland. If you have any questions, please write to [email protected] or [email protected] for further information. All you need to know about becoming an Insolvency Practitioner in Europe: Poland We have already looked at the legal status and remuneration of insolvency practitioners in France, Austria and Latvia. Here we discuss what happens in Poland The legal status of the Insolvency and the court does not deprive the • He/she has the full legal capacity to act; Practitioner (IP) in Poland is soon to be debtor of the right to administer the • He/she is under 65; regulated not only by the provisions of estate; • He/she received higher education the Bankruptcy and Rehabilitation Law, • The receiver ( zarz ądca ), who is qualifications and obtained an MA or 28 February 2003, but also by the appointed in the case of insolvency any other correspondent title in the provisions of the Polish law on IPs which with the possibility of making an member states mentioned above; was enacted by the Polish Parliament on arrangement with creditors, but the • He/she has an unblemished 9 May 2007. -
CVA" Stands for a Number of Things, Including "Cerebro
COMPANY VOLUNTARY ARRANGEMENTS Michael Howlin, Q.C. Hastie Stable, Edinburgh 1. Introduction 1.1 The abbreviation "CVA" stands for a number of things, including "cerebro- vascular accident" (i.e., a stroke), "Creative Video Associations" (a company which recycles videotape), an organisation called "Croydon Voluntary Action", "credit value adjustment" (or indeed "counterparty valuation adjustment") in the context of banking, and a device known as a "controlled valve actuator". It also stands for "company voluntary arrangement", which is the subject-matter of this talk. 1.2 Recent high-profile examples of CVAs include those proposed by (the late) JJB Sports (for the second time), Blacks, Clinton Cards, PT McWilliams (a Northern Ireland engineering company), Oddbins (no explanation needed), Carvill Group (a Northern Ireland construction company) and McTavish 2 Ramsay, the Dundee door manufacturers. Even more recently, we have had the failed Glasgow Rangers CVA and CVAs for Travelodge and Fitness First. 2. The General Statutory Background 2.1 CVAs were created by the Insolvency Act 1986, which devoted all of seven sections to them. Since 2003, they have been governed by slightly expanded primary statutory provisions1 and a new Schedule (Schedule A1) to which I shall return shortly. There are also provisions in Part I of the Insolvency (Scotland) Rules 1986, as amended. 2.2 Section 1(1) defines a voluntary arrangement simply as "a composition in satisfaction of [the company's] debts or a scheme of arrangement of its affairs2". In practice, a CVA is a very flexible affair, the details of which will vary from case to case. Examples of what can be achieved by a CVA include: (1) unconditional foregiveness of debts, or certain classes of debts; (2) pro rata reduction (or partial reduction) of liabilities, or certain classes of liabilities; (3) other variations of liabilities (e.g. -
Provisional Liquidation Introduction After the Filing of An
Topic 3 – Provisional Liquidation Introduction After the filing of an application for winding up and while it is pending, the creditor may find that the assets and affairs of the company are in jeopardy and are being dealt with to avoid the consequences of liquidation. Creditors and members would be disadvantaged if the company were eventually wound up: VR Dye & Co v Peninsula Hotels Pty Ltd [1999]. The court therefore has the power, pursuant to the CA, s 472(2), to appoint a provisional liquidator of a company at any time after the filing of a winding up application and before the making of a winding up order. Gives interim control of the company to a liquidator; o It is interim because the control is given until the final determination of the winding up application. The company’s financial position will be examined in its entirety: Constantinidis v JGL Trading Pty Ltd (1995). While provisional liquidation is a significant and useful remedy in particular circumstances, it is in fact rarely used. Provisional liquidation compares with the application by a creditor for an order of interim control of a debtor’s property under s 50 of the BA. Where ASIC is conducting an investigation of a company it is possible to obtain both orders appointing provisional liquidators and asset preservation orders under s 1323 of the CA: ASIC v Oceanic Asset Mnagement Pty Ltd [2015]. Who can apply? Creditor A creditor will be the applicant for an order, in most cases, initially the creditor will need to establish its standing as such. -
SNAPSHOT OFFSHORE Corporate Insolvency & Restructuring Annual Review 2018 Current Trends 2019 Jan-June
SNAPSHOT OFFSHORE Corporate Insolvency & Restructuring Annual Review 2018 Current Trends 2019 Jan-June ANALYSIS OF OFFSHORE PETITION FILINGS AND COURT ORDERS Tony Heaver-Wren Partner | Head of Insolvency & Restructuring Dispute Resolution | Cayman INSOLVENCY PETITIONS IN NUMBERS This Snapshot Report provides an overview of the CONTENTS 1 recent insolvency and restructuring petition filings 2018 2019 to date and resultant court orders in respect of companies Winding up Petitions in six* offshore jurisdictions. Throughout the year, The International Picture 3 Total number of companies in Bermuda, BVI, The Offshore Picture 4 744,255 764,765 2 we closely monitor company notices and petition Analysis of Filings by Jurisdiction Cayman, Guernsey, Isle of Man & Mauritius activity across our network of offshore offices in the Bermuda 5 British Virgin Islands 6 following categories: Cayman Islands 7 Compulsory winding-up Petitions submitted to the Mauritius 9 62 • Compulsory winding up, by shareholders or creditors; Guernsey 9 193 Offshore courts • Conversion of voluntary liquidation to court supervised liquidation; Isle of Man 10 • Schemes of arrangement; and Jersey 11 • Court requests for a reduction of share capital. Compulsory winding-up Orders made by the The key findings that emerge from our full-year, multi-jurisdictional 105 26 Offshore courts review and analysis for 2018 are highlighted and explored further over the following pages, together with commentary on the developments over 2019 to date. Petitions against Asian enterprises incorporated offshore have declined somewhat, although there are still a number of high-profile Average conversion rate of winding-up Petitions individual cases making their way through the offshore courts. -
How to Become an Insolvency Practitioner In
REMUNERATION OF INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS The article is provided by Devorah Burns of the national organisation The Insolvency Service, based in London. The Insolvency Service operates under a statutory framework – mainly the Insolvency Acts 1986 and 2000, the Company Directors Disqualifications Act 1986 and the Employment Rights Act 1996. If you have any questions on this article, please send them to the author at Devorah.Burns @insolvency.gsi.gov.uk or [email protected] We welcome further contributions to this series, so if you would like to inform our readers of the regulations for becoming an IP in your jurisdiction, please contact the editors. All you need to know about becoming an Insolvency Practitioner: Great Britain The latest in our series of articles on the legal status and remuneration of insolvency practitioners examines the British rules and regulations Access to to pay an annual fee, which covers the costs Insolvency Practitioners in the profession associated with authorisation and England, Wales & Scotland. regulation. The Insolvency Service is responsible for The Secretary of State (SoS) may authorise EU Directive 2005/36 provides for the the regulation of insolvency practitioners insolvency practitioners, as may seven recognition of professional qualifications working in Great Britain (i.e. England, professional bodies (the RPBs). The RPBs throughout the relevant states and The Wales & Scotland) and the Department for represent accountants, lawyers and those European Communities (Recognition of Enterprise, Trade & Investment in Northern who only work as insolvency practitioners. Professional Qualifications) Regulations Ireland is responsible for the regulation Most insolvency practitioners are 2007 (The Regulations) make provision of insolvency practitioners who work in authorised by one of the RPBs. -
What a Creditor Needs to Know About Liquidating an Insolvent BVI Company
What a creditor needs to know about liquidating GUIDE an insolvent BVI company Last reviewed: October 2020 Contents Introduction 3 When is a company insolvent? 3 What is a statutory demand? 3 Written request for payment 3 Is it essential to serve a statutory demand? 3 What must a statutory demand say? 3 Setting aside a statutory demand 4 How may a company be put into liquidation? 4 Qualifying resolution 4 Appointment 4 Liquidator's powers 4 Court order 5 Who may apply? 5 Application 5 Debt should be undisputed 5 When does a company's liquidation start? 5 What are the consequences of a company being put into liquidation? 5 Assets do not vest in liquidator 5 Automatic consequences 5 Restriction on execution and attachment 6 Public documents 6 Other consequences 6 Effect on contracts 6 How do creditors claim in a company's liquidation? 7 Making a claim 7 Currency 7 Contingent debts 7 Interest 7 Admitting or rejecting claims 7 What is a creditors' committee? 7 Establishing the committee 7 2021934/79051506/1 BVI | CAYMAN ISLANDS | GUERNSEY | HONG KONG | JERSEY | LONDON mourant.com Functions 7 Powers 8 What is the order of distribution of the company's assets? 8 Pari passu principle 8 Excluded assets 8 Order of application 8 How are secured creditors affected by a company's liquidation? 8 General position 8 Liquidator challenge 8 Claiming in the liquidation 8 Who are preferential creditors? 9 Preferential creditors 9 Priority 9 What are the claims of current and past shareholders? 9 Do shareholders have to contribute towards the company's debts? -
UK (England and Wales)
Restructuring and Insolvency 2006/07 Country Q&A UK (England and Wales) UK (England and Wales) Lyndon Norley, Partha Kar and Graham Lane, Kirkland and Ellis International LLP www.practicallaw.com/2-202-0910 SECURITY AND PRIORITIES ■ Floating charge. A floating charge can be taken over a variety of assets (both existing and future), which fluctuate from 1. What are the most common forms of security taken in rela- day to day. It is usually taken over a debtor's whole business tion to immovable and movable property? Are any specific and undertaking. formalities required for the creation of security by compa- nies? Unlike a fixed charge, a floating charge does not attach to a particular asset, but rather "floats" above one or more assets. During this time, the debtor is free to sell or dispose of the Immovable property assets without the creditor's consent. However, if a default specified in the charge document occurs, the floating charge The most common types of security for immovable property are: will "crystallise" into a fixed charge, which attaches to and encumbers specific assets. ■ Mortgage. A legal mortgage is the main form of security interest over real property. It historically involved legal title If a floating charge over all or substantially all of a com- to a debtor's property being transferred to the creditor as pany's assets has been created before 15 September 2003, security for a claim. The debtor retained possession of the it can be enforced by appointing an administrative receiver. property, but only recovered legal ownership when it repaid On default, the administrative receiver takes control of the the secured debt in full. -
In Short-CR October 03
OCTOBER 2003 RECENT CHANGES IN THE UK AND EU LAW AND THEIR EFFECT ON YOUR BUSINESS In Short...Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency THE ENTERPRISE ACT 2002 — A qualifying floating charge is one which is created by CORPORATE INSOLVENCY PROVISIONS an instrument which expressly states that paragraph 14 of Schedule B1 applies to it or empowers the holder to appoint Background an administrative receiver or an administrator of the company. The corporate insolvency provisions of the Enterprise Act, The company will enter administration and the intended to promote a rescue culture, for which the administration will commence when the appointment of administration and CVA procedures were originally an administrator takes effect. introduced by IA 1986, came into force on 15 September If the company is already in liquidation, it may only 2003. enter administration upon an application by the liquidator The provisions contain substantial amendments to be or the holder of a qualifying floating charge. made to IA 1986, with the majority of the new provisions to be included in Schedules to the Act, including:- Purposes •A new administration régime; • Removal of the floating charge holder’s right to The Enterprise Act replaces the four statutory purposes for appoint an administrative receiver (except for certain which administration orders have been made with one, to capital markets arrangements and public/private rescue the company (i.e. not just the business). Where that is partnership projects where administrative not reasonably practicable, the administrator should receivership is preserved); perform his functions with the objective of achieving a • Abolition of Crown preference in all insolvencies. better result for the company’s creditors as a whole than would be likely if the company had been wound up (without first The New Administration Procedure being in administration). -
1/1 DIRECTOR and OFFICER LIABILITY in the ZONE of INSOLVENCY: a COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS HH Rajak Summary It Is the Duty of the Dire
HH RAJAK (SUMMARY) PER/PELJ 2008(11)1 DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY IN THE ZONE OF INSOLVENCY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS HH Rajak* Summary It is the duty of the directors of a company to run the business of the company in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. In principle, the company, alone, is responsible for the debts incurred in the running of the company and the creditors are, in principle, precluded from looking to the directors or shareholders for payment of any shortfall arising as a result of the company's insolvency. This principle has, in a number of jurisdictions undergone statutory change such that in certain circumstances, the directors and others who were concerned with the management of the company may be made liable to contribute, personally, to meet the payment – in part or entirely – of the company's debts. This paper aims to explore this statutory jurisdiction. It also seeks to describe succinctly the process by which the shift from unlimited to limited liability trading was achieved. It will end by examining briefly a comparatively new phenomenon, namely that of a shift in the focus of the directors' duties from company and shareholders to the creditors as the company becomes insolvent and nears the stage of a formal declaration of its insolvent status – the so-called 'zone of insolvency'. * Prof Harry Rajak. Professor Emeritus, Sussex Law School, University of Sussex. 1/1 DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY IN THE ZONE OF INSOLVENCY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ISSN 1727-3781 2008 VOLUME 11 NO 1 HH RAJAK PER/PELJ 2008(11)1 DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY IN THE ZONE OF INSOLVENCY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS HH Rajak* 1 Introduction It is a generally accepted proposition that the duty of the directors of a company is to run the business of the company in the best interests of the company. -
Directors' Duties and Liabilities in Financial Distress During Covid-19
Directors’ duties and liabilities in financial distress during Covid-19 July 2020 allenovery.com Directors’ duties and liabilities in financial distress during Covid-19 A global perspective Uncertain times give rise to many questions Many directors are uncertain about their responsibilities and the liability risks The Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic in these circumstances. They are facing questions such as: crisis has a significant impact, both financial and – If the company has limited financial means, is it allowed to pay critical suppliers and otherwise, on companies around the world. leave other creditors as yet unpaid? Are there personal liability risks for ‘creditor stretching’? – Can you enter into new contracts if it is increasingly uncertain that the company Boards are struggling to ensure survival in the will be able to meet its obligations? short term and preserve cash, whilst planning – Can directors be held liable as ‘shadow directors’ by influencing the policy of subsidiaries for the future, in a world full of uncertainties. in other jurisdictions? – What is the ‘tipping point’ where the board must let creditor interest take precedence over creating and preserving shareholder value? – What happens to intragroup receivables subordinated in the face of financial difficulties? – At what stage must the board consult its shareholders in case of financial distress and does it have a duty to file for insolvency protection? – Do special laws apply in the face of Covid-19 that suspend, mitigate or, to the contrary, aggravate directors’ duties and liability risks? 2 Directors’ duties and liabilities in financial distress during Covid-19 | July 2020 allenovery.com There are more jurisdictions involved than you think Guidance to navigating these risks Most directors are generally aware of their duties under the governing laws of the country We have put together an overview of the main issues facing directors in financially uncertain from which the company is run. -
Overview of the Fdic As Conservator Or Receiver
September 26, 2008 OVERVIEW OF THE FDIC AS CONSERVATOR OR RECEIVER This memorandum is an overview of the receivership and conservatorship authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). In view of the many and complex specific issues that may arise in this context, this memorandum is necessarily an overview, but it does give particular reference to counterparty issues that might arise in the case of a relatively large complex bank such as a significant regional bank and outlines elements of the FDIC framework which differ from a corporate bankruptcy. This memorandum has three parts: (1) background on the legal framework governing FDIC resolutions, highlighting changes and developments since the 1990s; (2) an outline of six distinctive aspects of the FDIC approach with comparison to the bankruptcy law provisions; and (3) a final section illustrating issues and uncertainties in the FDIC resolutions process through a more detailed review of two examples – treatment of loan securitizations and participations, and standby letters of credit.1 Relevant additional materials include: the pertinent provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance (the "FDI") Act2 and FDIC rules3, statements of policy4 and advisory opinions;5 the FDIC Resolution Handbook6 which reflects the FDIC's high level description of the receivership process, including a contrast with the bankruptcy framework; recent speeches of FDIC Chairman 1 While not exhaustive, these discussions are meant to be exemplary of the kind of analysis that is appropriate in analyzing any transaction with a bank counterparty. 2 Esp. Section 11 et seq., http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/rules/1000- 1200.html#1000sec.11 3 Esp. -
Liquidation Bankruptcy Under the '78 Code
William & Mary Law Review Volume 21 (1979-1980) Issue 3 Combined Issues 3 & 4 Article 3 April 1980 Liquidation Bankruptcy Under the '78 Code Doug Rendleman Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr Part of the Bankruptcy Law Commons Repository Citation Doug Rendleman, Liquidation Bankruptcy Under the '78 Code, 21 Wm. & Mary L. Rev. 575 (1980), https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr/vol21/iss3/3 Copyright c 1980 by the authors. This article is brought to you by the William & Mary Law School Scholarship Repository. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr LIQUIDATION BANKRUPTCY UNDER THE '78 CODE DOUG RENDLEMAN* TABLE OF CONTENTS I. BACKGROUND ................................. 577 II. BANKRUPTCY UNDER THE '78 CODE .............. 579 A. The Bankruptcy Court and Its Power ........ 579 B. Procedure ............................... 581 1. Voluntary Petitions ................... 582 2. Involuntary Bankruptcy ................ 583 C. The Bankruptcy Process ................... 584 1. Automatic Stay ....................... 586 2. Interim Trustee .................. .... 588 3. Creditors' Meeting .................... 589 4. Electing a Trustee ..................... 591 D. The Estate .............................. 594 1. Abandonment-Assumrptio Rejection ..... 601 (a) Abandonment .................... 602 (b) Rejection and Assumption ......... 603 III. THE TRUSTEE'S POWER TO AVOID ................ 609 A. Section 544 Avoidance Powers .............. 610 1. The Decline of Moore v. Bay ............ 615 B. Statutory Liens ..........................